Sweet Itch Rugs
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Sweet Itch Rug COMFORT
ab 378,00 €
Set Aloe|Blossom -
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Sweet Itch Rug COMFORT
ab 3,00 €
Repair Kit -
Sweet Itch Rug COMFORT
ab 378,00 €
Set Aloe|Mint -
Sweet Itch Rug COMFORT
ab 378,00 €
Set Aloe|Ginseng -
Sweet Itch Rug COMFORT
128,00 €
Maske -
Sweet Itch Rug COMFORT
139,00 €
Neck Piece -
Sweet Itch Rug COMFORT
ab 149,00 €
Replacement Part Body -
Sweet Itch Rug COMFORT Set
ab 378,00 €
Aloe|Sage
More Stuff
When does my horse need a sweet itch blanket?
Sweet itch is a skin disease caused by an allergic reaction to the saliva of gnats or other stinging insects. The horse feels a strong itching, there is scrubbing on the mane and tail, which in turn sometimes causes larger wounds, which can then be entry points for parasites, bacteria and fungi.
Feed and Care play an important role in the prevention and treatment of sweet itch. However, wearing an eczema blanket is essential and the most reliable protection against being stung.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to say in general terms in which months a sweet itch blanket should be worn. It always depends on the weather. Normally, we would recommend using the blanket at least from April to October. However, if the weather is unusually mild in autumn or spring, it may be necessary to use it earlier or later.
Just keep an eye on when your horse shows the first - even minimal - symptoms. If it has been scrubbing in the same place for three days in a row, you should cover it up at the latest. At the beginning or end of the season, however, you can reduce to wearing the neck piece alone , provided your horse has no sensitive areas elsewhere on its body.
Freshly imported Icelandic horses should always wear a sweet itch blanket during their first summers in Germany, regardless of whether they show symptoms or not.
What should I look for when buying an sweet itch rug?
The Fabric: In addition to the question of whether the fabric really does not let mosquitoes through, the following points should also be considered:
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Is the fabric quick drying? In rain showers, sweet itch rugs made of conventional thick fabrics tend to soak up water and take a long time to dry. In this case, the horse has to stand in a heavy, soaked blanket for a long time after a rain shower. This can lead to the horse being cold and muscle tension .
If you live close to the stable and can change your horse quickly, this is no problem, but especially if you are at the stable less often or the horses are outside at night, this is of course very impractical and, in case of doubt, unpleasant for the horse.
Fly rugs are often made of materials that dry more quickly. However, these usually offer little protection on the underside of the belly and are therefore not protective enough for most eczema horses. If you buy a blanket with waterproof inserts, make sure that it is really breathable and does not become a sauna for your horse. Most of them are not. Our blanket is made of quick-drying, water-repellent but highly breathable, lightweight fabric.
- Colour of the blanket: Dark fabrics heat up very strongly in summer and attract mosquitoes more strongly. Light colours are therefore always preferable. For the horse, it has no added value if you see less dirt on the dark blanket. On the contrary, it is important that you wash your sweet itch blanket very regularly, so that the dirt does not cause infections in your horse's wounds.
- Seams and stitching Really make sure that your sweet itch blanket is cleanly made . Many blankets have hard, coarse seams or much too tight elastics, which cause bruising and chafing on the sensitive eczema skin. All parts of our sweet itch blanket are finished with smooth inner seams to protect the sensitive animals.
- Origin and production: Sustainability is important! It is best to support small companies that produce in produce in Germany. That way you can be sure that environmental standards are met and that the seamstresses are paid fair paid fairly. Even if it can be more expensive for you.
Here's what you need to look for in a sweet itch blanket
- The blanket really covers all the sensitive areas of your horse. Unprotected areas where mosquitoes can get to the horse are often: neck, throat, between the front legs, belly seam, udder or hose pocket and the tail.
Improper cuts and gaping closures are invitations to biting pests. Especially if your horse needs protection at the hose/udder and legs, you should make sure that the blanket hangs down further.
- Comfort for the sick horse: We are faced with a paradox. On the one hand, we want to make life easier for our horses and protect them from biting and stinging pests. On the other hand, we put such heavy and uncomfortable blankets on them that we spoil their summer.
- Pay attention to whether the blanket causes pressure points on your horse. The typical pressure points of eczema blankets are:
The withers: Does your hand still fit loosely between the blanket and the withers when your horse has its head on the ground and eats? If your horse has been wearing sweet itch blankets for a long time, there is a very high chance that he has white or brittle hairs in the mane at the withers or even a bare spot. Pressure on the withers can be very uncomfortable for your horse in the long run, as it can make breathing difficult or cause painful tension that can hinder riding.
Chest: If the horse has its head down, not only does the fabric over the withers often pull tight, but it also strangles the horse at the neck.
Cheeks, parotid gland: Conventional blankets are often fastened at the top of the neck with an elastic band. This keeps the blanket on the head, but it also leaves bald and bloody spots on the neck. Masks are often so tight that they can block the horse's parotid gland and cause severe pain. - Safety first! Too loose, sagging belly guards or dangling leg cords with metal carabiners are a safety hazard for horses' legs. Horses like to step into these parts when rolling and then get stuck in them for a long time. At best, only the blanket gets broken!
